Construction work has begun on a new multi-million pound health centre in Worcestershire.

The new centre will re-house the Churchfields and St John's GP practises, as well as Bromsgrove Dental Surgery, Catherine Adams Physiotherapy and a Lloyds Pharmacy.

A strategic partnership between Bromsgrove District Council, the county council and NHS Worcestershire, the new centre is expected to open its doors early next year.

Bromsgrove District Council leader, Roger Hollingworth, said: "This is the first major piece of work in the town centre's regeneration."

The new facility will also boast a running track, a 42-child nursery and seminar and conference facilities, which will be used by medical students from Birmingham University.

Earlier this year, Richard Smith, managing director of Lloyds Pharmacy, met with shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley to launch the 'A Healthier Nation' green paper which, if implemented, would see greater convergence among pharmacies, businesses, GPs and other healthcare providers.